Inner strength has no form.
Simply put, inner strength is energy without attributes, which can be used with any martial technique.
But some special cultivation techniques can give inner strength an unbelievably unique attribute.
For example, Ice True Qi makes your inner strength freezing cold to the bone.
The Five Poison Heart Scripture can make your inner strength highly poisonous; even the slightest touch will make your opponent deeply poisoned.
The Cangyang Force is the same.
It can make inner strength extremely firm and full of yang energy, and when paired with matching martial arts, it greatly amplifies them. However, the drawback is that if you try to learn techniques with opposing attributes, it's incredibly hard to get started.
But with this kind of inner strength, the power definitely far surpasses that of attribute-less inner strength.
"Hoo!"
A breath of foul air expelled, mixed with scorching heat.
After circulating several times, Ye Liuyun had already reached the entry level of Cangyang Force. Next, all he needed to do was gradually convert all the inner strength in his body into Cangyang Force inner strength.
This is not something to rush.
Ye Liuyun picked a few more martial arts techniques.
Pine Wood Saber Skill—a standard saber skill, "stand like pine"—a style focused on stability and winning steadily.
Even though he already had Swordsmanship Talent, the Embroidered Uniform Guard usually used sabers. Ye Liuyun just liked the feeling of swinging a blade, and as for swordsmanship, he could always pick it up later when he had the time.
Apart from that, Ye Liuyun also took a technique called Jade-Shattering Hand, a palm technique designed to pair with mainline cultivation methods.
Once mastered, it can make your palms as hard as jade.
As for the other martial arts manuals, Ye Liuyun simply put them on the bookshelf for later.
He knew well the saying "bite off more than you can chew."
If you want everything, you end up with nothing.
Instead of doing that, it's better to pick one or two techniques and train them to the limit, and leave the rest for later.
People only have so much energy.
Ye Liuyun didn't think this approach was slow anyway—and besides, he had a cheat system.
This is just for now—who knows, maybe he'd get some special Talent Entry in the future that would let him cultivate multiple techniques at once.
Thinking this way, he felt a bit of anticipation.
"You rest here for a bit. I'm going outside to practice!"
After telling Xing'Er, Ye Liuyun left the study and went out to the courtyard.
,,,
After reaching the rank of First-class Martial Artist—
There was no need to keep practicing the Wind-Slaying Saber Skill. The technique just had that limitation.
Thankfully, he had the Pine Wood Saber Skill now.
No surprise for the blue-grade Saber Skill Talent—just the time it takes for a cup of tea, and Ye Liuyun already had an entry grasp of Pine Wood Saber Skill, getting more skilled by the moment.
"Boom!"
As the blade swung, the saber's momentum was as blazing as fire; his inner strength almost seemed to ignite along the edge.
"So this is Cangyang Force's inner strength, huh?"
Pine Wood Saber Skill itself doesn't have this kind of power.
But combined with Cangyang Force's inner strength, this technique that's usually all about defense actually became uniquely overpowering—every slash felt like he wanted to burn his opponent to ashes.
"Not bad! Not bad at all!"
Ye Liuyun was more than satisfied with this effect.
He was kind of looking forward to what it would feel like once all the inner strength in his dantian had been turned into Cangyang Force inner strength.
After getting much more skillful with the Pine Wood Saber Skill,
Ye Liuyun started training Jade-Shattering Hand. With his Strong Physique talent, it fit perfectly with the requirements.
So training wasn't difficult at all.
After finishing these two practices, Ye Liuyun would keep working on Cangyang Force. You could say his day was packed, and he felt super productive.
,,,
"Cangyang Force? Huh, turns out he actually has some talent."
Nighttime, on Sheng Lanzhi's side.
When Xing'Er told her Ye Liuyun not only practiced Cangyang Force but also succeeded in grasping it, Sheng Lanzhi looked a little surprised—and also began to appreciate him.
The official career is important, sure—
But Sheng Lanzhi valued martial cultivation more. Only by being strong herself could she have more say in things.
Now everything was heading in a good direction, and all the dissatisfaction she'd originally felt in her heart faded quite a bit.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Seeing Sheng Lanzhi like this, Xing'Er's eyes flickered, and she continued.
"Master also told me to thank you for everything you've done; he'll never forget your kindness."
Actually, Ye Liuyun never said this—Xing'Er just made it up herself.
The purpose, naturally, was to help Ye Liuyun.
In this residence, although Ye Liuyun was the master, the one truly in charge was always Sheng Lanzhi—everyone among the maids and servants knew this.
Xing'Er hoped Ye Liuyun and Sheng Lanzhi could smooth things out between them—if that happened, Ye Liuyun's position in the household would get a lot better.
Even though, based on her observation, Ye Liuyun himself didn't seem to care much about such things, Xing'Er still wanted to do what she could.
"At least he has the right attitude!"
Sheng Lanzhi didn't doubt Xing'Er's words. She waved her hand and smiled.
"Tell him, as long as he keeps this up, he can ask for anything he wants in the future. Whatever's rightfully his, I won't hold back."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Xing'Er nodded without changing her expression.
Seeing Sheng Lanzhi finish speaking and yawn, Xing'Er dutifully helped her back to the room to rest.
,,,
"Talent Entry System!"
Host: Ye Liuyun!
Realm: Postnatal Martial Artist!
Martial Arts: Wind-Slaying Saber Skill, Cangyang Force, Pine Wood Saber Skill, Jade-Shattering Hand,
Talent Entries: Luck (Purple), Strong Physique (Blue), Saber Skill Talent (Blue), Photographic Memory (Blue), Swordsmanship Talent (Green), Extreme Yang Body (Purple), Scent Discernment (Green),"
At this moment, all of Ye Liuyun's attention was on cultivation.
Inside the room, as soon as he finished practicing Cangyang Force, Ye Liuyun activated his character panel with a thought.
As expected, his cultivation had fully broken through the Postnatal Realm.
The effect brought by the Extreme Yang Body was even better than Ye Liuyun imagined.
Training Cangyang Force consumes the body's yang energy rapidly. If you run low on yang energy, it puts a huge burden on any cultivator.
No wonder the sect didn't bother keeping Cangyang Force—probably decided that even if it's a superior-grade technique, there's no need to worry about it leaking out.
But the Extreme Yang Body makes yang energy in his body endless and self-renewing.
No need to worry about using up Cangyang Force at all.
"This special constitution really is a good thing."
Meanwhile, after practicing Cangyang Force, that previous issue of restless yang energy was completely gone.
Special constitutions really are treasures.
In the days to come—
Aside from the daily check-ins and recording at the Imperial Prison, most of Ye Liuyun's time was spent working on Cangyang Force cultivation.
Although he didn't neglect the Pine Wood Saber Skill and Jade-Shattering Hand, the main focus remained on Cangyang Force.
He aimed to break through to the Innate Realm as soon as possible.
If you can, who would ever complain about being too strong? The stronger the better, of course.
,,,,,,